Got Blisters? Here's How to Reclaim Your Feet

Ah, blisters. Whether it’s from running in trainers or strutting your stuff in sandals, there’s nothing that’ll irk your feet quite like a painful blister. But while there’s plenty of advice out there on how to prevent getting blisters in the first place (we’ve got a super-clever trick from a podiatrist right here), what happens once it’s too late? Well, we’re here to tell you that you’ve probably been dealing with blisters all wrong. If you’re one for popping them while they’re hot, take five to read these top tips for treating blisters on your feet, straight from the experts.

Keep scrolling for the best way to heal blisters and the essential anti-blister buys you need in your first aid kit.

#1. Don't Burst Your Blisters

We’re guilty of doing it too, but advice from the experts is that we should all resist the temptation to take a pin to our blisters and let them go down on their own. “Avoid bursting the blister because this could lead to an infection or slow down the healing process,” the experts at AXA PPP healthcare tell us. “If possible, keep the skin intact to protect the wound underneath.”

If your blister bursts on its own (or if we’ve arrived too late with our first tip), it’s important to treat it like you would any wound and safeguard it against infection. “When a blister bursts, don’t peel off the dead skin,” warn the folks at AXA PPP. “Instead, allow the fluid inside the blister to drain, and cover the area with a dry, sterile dressing to protect it from infection until it heals.”

If there’s one thing that’s going to hinder the healing process, that’s applying more pressure to your blister. “Blisters occur due to repetitive rubbing or pressure, quite often as a result of wearing ill-fitting shoes,” explains David Wain, Carnation Footcare podiatrist. So it makes sense that slipping your feet back into the same shoes that caused the damage in the first place will do you no favours. If you can’t get away with comfy footwear, however, the AXA PPP experts have a clever trick—make a doughnut with a dressing. “It’s best to avoid putting pressure on the blister if possible, but cutting a dressing into a doughnut shape to fit around the blister can help.” Genius.

Related

Wain tells us that a run-of-the-mill blister should be well on its way after a week or so, but if you’ve noticed any changes such as discolouration, pus, or if it’s getting more painful rather than less, it’s wise to get things checked by a doctor. Your blister may have become infected, which in some cases could lead a skin or blood infection if left untreated.